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Thursday, February 21, 2013

Expelling the Spirit: Exorcism Around the World


When people think exorcism, they think Catholicism. A vision of the Exorcist, with the priest with his bible and robes comes to mind. However, this was not the only religion that practiced exorcism.

In Hinduism, the Artharva Veda, one of the four holy books, is said to contain the secrets of magic and alchemy, including exorcism practices. Basic exorcism includes a mantra (a chant capable of creating transformation) accompanied by the yajna (a ritual of offerings).

Quran- Photo by ~crystalina~
In Islam, the exorcism is called the ruqya and is used to repair damage done by shir, or black magic. This consists of the afflicted person laying down while a sheikh, or elder, places his hand over the afflicted forehead and chants specific verses from the Quran. The afflicted may also drink holy water.

In Judaism the exorcism is performed by a rabbi (priest) who has mastered the art of the Kabbalah. A minyan, a group of ten adults, gather around the possessed and recited Psalms 91 three times while the rabbi blows a ram’s horn. The horn is blown with certain notes to shatter the hold the possessing entity has on the body. Once it’s shattered the rabbi asked the entity why it’s possessing the person and the minyan pray and make the entity feel ready to move on.

So, back to Catholicism, what is their deal? Well, early in Christianity it was believed that anyone could perform an exorcism because the power was derived from Christ. He stated “And these signs will accompany those who believe: by using my name they will cast out demons.” (Mark 16:17). It started as laying hands on the possessed person, and invocation of Jesus’s name, and the signing of the cross. Then the church created an office for handling the matter in the 3rd century and added exsufflation, or blowing upon the possessed. It evolved into the Roman ritual and now an exorcist, appointed by the Church, is the only ones allowed to perform the ritual. This priest recited passage from the Roman Ritual and entreats God to intervene on behalf of the possessed. It is different for each priest but it is imperative at some point that the priest commands the spirit to leave in the name of Jesus Christ.

It seems that even though their practices are different, most exorcisms require at the bare minimum a belief in a higher power. Most with their prayers, or mantra call upon that power to drive out possessing forces.


Be sure to catch more from Gabriella and her version of exorcism in "A Prescription for Delirium" available NOW on AmazonBarnes & Noble, and Smashwords.



Thursday, February 14, 2013

Valentine's Day Treat: Steam by Jessica Fortunato


Ok, so today is the day for love. We all love the thrills that come with being in love, at least when we are in love. I have just the read for tonight!

Premise (from Goodreads):
Charlotte Amelia Caprice may seem like an ordinary girl. She has a job she hates, a boss she despises, and zero romantic prospects. Her friends call her Charlie, when she can keep one for more than a few weeks. Though Charlie may seem ordinary, she is anything but. Charlie doesn’t have a heart. Instead, she has a steam driven machine in her chest, always making her feel less than human. Gears and pistons have been using her own body heat to pump her blood for over a decade. There is one small problem. Her heart is beginning to break. When Charlie meets a brilliant man, one who could save her life, she must choose between being heartless and being alive. A simple choice for some, but for Charlie living on steam isn’t easy.

My Review:
Steam is different from the Sin Collector series, but this is a very good thing. It shows Fortunato’s gift to write a wide range of genres. First of all, Jessica once again hit the mark with her originality. The concept of a girl in the modern day with a metal heart is brilliant. What I love best, however, is the emotion depth of the characters. This book had me in tears at a few points. I was cheering for Charlie and Viktor the entire time.

As usual, the themes presented in Fortunato’s stories are ones that almost everyone can relate to. And yes, there is a hot shower scene. I really have no complaints for the story. Want a good read to snuggle up with for Valentine’s Day? Get Steam.

Steam is available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.


About the Author:
Jessica Fortunato is a writer in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania.

She has been a freelance reviewer for the past three years. She has always loved a supernatural aspect to literature, as well as the addition of theology, so it is no surprise that her debut novel "The Sin Collector" combines just that.

She has been a waitress, a cook, a librarian, a book binder, nanny, and even a hairdresser when the occasion calls for it. However writing is her main focus and she is thrilled to share the first installment of what she hopes will be a a beloved book series.


And for those of you not looking for love but want a thrill: Check out my book A Prescription for Delirium available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Smashwords.

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Blogger Book Fair: Louann Carroll

For the last Day of the Blogger Book Fair, Louann Carrol is giving you a special treat. A conversation between two of her characters from different books. Sit back and enjoy.


Kellyn O’Brien stepped out of the car, the rain lashing the roof of the old hotel to her side. Nevada City, California, an old gold mining town turned tourist destination. Her creator lived near here, in a valley a few miles away. The town, with its historic downtown district was the perfect place to conjure up a bar where Kellyn, from the novel A Shadow of Time, and Kate, from Gemini Rising I, and The Light and the Flame (coming soon), could meet. She hurried inside, letting the door slam shut behind her.
Shucking her coat, she glanced across the room. An attractive blonde woman sat on a stool at the far end of the bar. Obviously startled by the crack of the door, the woman turned to look at her, blue eyes piercing. Kellyn hurried over, pulled out a stool, and sat down. Never one to mince words, she said the first thing that came to mind, “I hear you’re a whiner.”
Kate laughed, flicking hair over one shoulder. “So I hear.” She took a sip of beer then licked foam from her upper lip. “Want one?”
“Oh, no. I’m pregnant.” Kellyn looked longingly at the golden brew. “Maybe a Sprite?” The author of their creation didn’t realize that what she wrote in a book went on to fruition in multiple dimensions and in this one it seemed like she’d been pregnant forever. 
Kate signaled the waitress, shifted then bent down and snugged up a boot. She glanced at Kellyn, showing her a matching set of kitchen knives tucked into the neck of her Uggs. She mouthed the words, “Just in case.”
Sitting straight, she said to the server, “Sprite please, for my friend.” She turned to Kellyn with a grin and added, “I’m glad you decided to meet me. I’ve so many complaints about the way our author represents us in our novels. Like, when was the last time she really looked at us? In case she hasn’t noticed, we’ve grown.” She followed a male server with her eyes, making the comment to Kellyn that if the guy was candy, she’d take the entire box.  
The server stopped in front of her with a questioning look.
Kate said, “Shot of Irish if you please.”
“Whiskey?”
“Ah, yeah.”
 While Kate flirted, Kellyn glanced around, finding the bar cozy. The walls were painted a bright pink, and were offset by the wood of the bar shining a dark mahogany and smooth with age. Cigarette smoke tinged the air. There was even a jukebox in the corner playing something about broken hearts. She could relate. In fact, if Adam’s theory of multidimensionality were true, she’d had her heart broken in more than one dimension, multiple times. She asked, once the server disappeared, “When did your book come out?”
“A few years ago. The next one in the series is due out pretty soon. I think she sent it off to the editor.”
She sighed, and Kellyn took pity on her. “You don’t sound happy.”
Kate added, “I’m not. The book took her ages to finish.” Her eyes hardened. “I just want to go home.”
 Taking the Sprite from a female server, Kellyn admired the black leather hot pants and bra on the nubile young woman. She took a sip of her drink before speaking. “She has been sick and she did write another novel right after mine. Redemption is its name. In any case, I’m a stand-alone. No series here.”
“How come?” Kate tipped back the shot and downed it. “Can I have another?” she asked an elderly barmaid with longish gray hair, infinite black eyes, and stop-sign-red lipstick.  
“Coming right up.”  The woman shuffled down the walkway. She passed the kegs, the bottles, and the one bag of nuts hanging crookedly on metal slats. Dust sprinkled the air as she moved.
“I don’t know why she hasn’t considered it. There could be a sequel if she’d just think about it. I’d like to go on if possible.”
Running her fingers around the rim of her glass, Kate commented, “It’s not all it’s cracked up to be. The writer, your creator,” she added sarcastically, “got the title of my book, Gemini Rising, from the Gemini Observatory, which was the first place to notice the incoming comet that destroyed Earth. As if the first book wasn’t horrific enough, now she has me in the middle of an angelic war that will determine if humanity will survive within the universe. It would have been nice if she’d stopped the telling with me and the kids reunited with Noah.”
Kellyn straightened and winked. “I heard he’s a hunk.” She’d seen a picture of Kate’s lover in the creator’s mind. Dark hair framed a face of chiseled perfection. Shadowed cheeks, demanding eyes, full lips, and just the swipe of a mustache between the upper lip and his nose, any woman would fall for him. A Johnny Depp with blue eyes, she thought. All that was missing was some steam punk clothing that for whatever reason sent her pulse racing. “He’s dreamy.”  
Blushing, Kate picked up the shot the server plunked down before her. “That he is.” She tipped back another one. “It would be nice to see him once in a while.”
Kellyn wondered if the color on Kate’s face was for Noah or the alcohol she was downing. “Do you always drink so much?”
“No. In fact, I don’t drink at all.”
“Then you’d better be careful.”  Kellyn glanced at her watch. She’d left Scott with Leanore. He was just three and tended not to do well away from her. Besides, there was the house to consider, Shadow Ley. That miserable gothic mess that haunted her steps as well as her mind.
“I heard you inherited a mansion. Must be nice. All I got was an imaginary cabin in the Olam.”
“Where’s that?” Interested, Kellyn put her worries aside.
“It’s the home of angels—where worlds are created.”
“I’ve enough trouble with the one I’m in. Shadow Ley is haunted.”
“I’ve heard. Shenahobet is it?”
“Yeah, a djinn. Somehow we got our dimensions mixed up.” She cocked her head. “I have no idea where the creator came up with that one. She went from sci-fi romance to paranormal horror romance. One moment I’m in one world and the next in another. Makes it kind of hard to keep up with it all.”
Kate flicked a finger at the bartender, indicating another shot. “She has a wicked imagination.”
“What happened between you and Noah?” Kellyn had heard that he’d saved Kate from death and whisked her from Earth.
“We ended up in the home of angels where he was promptly thrown out.” She clicked her fingernails across the bar. “We’re bond mates and since we share emotion, and I wasn’t ready for the responsibility, he was asked to leave by Michael.”
“Who’s Michael?” Kellyn noted Kate’s drawn brow, the determination in her eyes.
“An archangel.”
“You don’t like him?”
“No. Well, in some respects he’s okay. He’s kind of good looking in a hunky angelic sort of way.” She glanced over. “What about John Aldrich? I heard you have the hots for him.”  
Kellyn felt a trifle insulted. “I’m in love and that’s not the same as having the hots, at least not in my world. Although… You see, we share the same nightmare. They’re from another dimension—another life. Shenahobet is deranged and it’s out to destroy my family.” She finished the rest of her Sprite in a single gulp.
“Another?” The waitress appeared—an unwanted intrusion.
“Please.” Wary of strangers, Kellyn kept an eye on her. Shenahobet could take many forms. Her hand crept down to the gun strapped to her leg.  
“I’ll get her back someday.”
She glanced back at Kate. “Who?”
“That woman—the author—the one you call the creator. How dare she take liberties with our lives!”
The bar door slammed opened. In walked a frail old woman, her dress dragging on the floor, apron stained with mold. A sense of disgust filled Kellyn as she recognized the djinn. Her hand, like quicksilver, brought up the gun. She glanced at Kate and thought of her son.
All went still. As usual, when caught in a dimension that would not reach completion, things began to go gray. Kellyn’s stomach knotted, when out of the mist came John, arms opened wide, the one dimple on his cheek dented with good humor. He grinned, pulling her into his arms, supplying the comfort she so desperately needed.  She hated the changing of worlds. It took her ages to get her bearings. She said, the emotion in her voice telling, “I’m so glad you are here.”
“The creator has decided that this dimension will die, my love. This is a poorly designed alternate world best left alone. Come now, it’s time to go home.”
With that, they disappeared. 

Book Blurbs and Links:

In the beginning was the Light. And the Light was good. From the Light came all manner of civilizations spreading across the universe. Only human beings chose to come to know the Light on their own. For this, the Light loved them best. There is also darkness, a creature so filled with jealously; it vows to destroy the human race. Created by the Light for Its own purpose, Belial, the evil one, keeps the planets in place.
Over 5,000 years ago, Sumerian stone tablets warn future civilizations on Earth about the coming of Nibiru. The 10th planet will cross the planet’s orbit, turning the axis by 90 degrees.
The Gemini Observatory in Hawaii has discovered a comet on its way to Earth. Some say it’s a left over fragment of the big bang. Others say it heralds the end of time.
Jason Kelly, a renowned archaeologist, rips his wife, Kate, and their ten-year-old son from their home in San Francisco. Off to a dig outside of Sedona, Arizona, Kate must make her way in the hot, dry, desert city of Phoenix. She misses the fog, the lights, the sounds of people, until one night, a mysterious ship appears in the night sky. 



A Shadow of Time 
Consumed by a childhood filled with terror and pain, Kellyn O’Brien strives to create the perfect family. Then, disaster strikes. Her husband is dead. Three weeks later, she discovers her son is heir to Shadow Ley, a nineteenth century estate located in the Sierra Nevada foothills.
Still reeling from Michael's death, Kellyn moves to Shadow Ley. Soon after her arrival, the ordinary becomes the extraordinary: broken drinking glasses repair themselves, stair rails that were once old are now new, and suddenly the estate of Shadow Ley is not what it seems.
She turns to the local historian and hears the tale of Shenahobet, the portal guardian, and the Hutto-pah, a tribe of Native Americans related to the Maya. She meets John, a doctor, who experiences visions of other times and places. Her dreams turn into nightmares with windows into past lives, hints of multidimensionality, and the promise of life beyond death.
Legends abound and so Shadow Ley, the home Kellyn had hoped would bring peace to herself and her children, becomes mired first in doubt, then in terror, and finally in love eternal.

Biography

Louann Carroll is a Native Californian living in the Sierra Nevada foothills with her husband, Dennis. Mother to three children and grandmother to seven, she is an avid rock, fossil, and gem hunter who enjoys sharing her finds with her grandchildren and friends. She is a student of alternative religion, archaeology, anthropology, and paleontology.
She has written numerous radio talk shows, articles on adoption, and is the author of Gemini Rising, a Sci-fi Romance Series, A Shadow of Time, a Paranormal Romance, and the Journey Series; children's books helping our kids through life.
Louann loves to hear from people who read her books. You can reach her by email or visit her website. Other links are:
Goodreads
Twitter
Amazon Author

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Saturday, February 9, 2013

Blogger Book Fair: Interview with Nathan Squiers, the Literary Dark Prince

Hello friends and lovers. Today is another awesome day of the Blogger Book Fair. We get to sit down with the Literary Dark Prince himself and learn more about his writing and life. May I introduce Nathan Squiers:
When and why did you begin writing?
            I’ve been a storyteller of some form or another for as long as I can remember, but I’d say my focus on writing became genuine when I was about 13. At first it served as a creative outlet for venting my teenage angst and depression, but, when I was 15 and going through some hard times, I started to write a “creative suicide letter” about a boy named Xander Stryker. What started as a short story, however, compelled me to write more of Xander’s story and, in my efforts to have him find the strength to live, I found my own. The first book of the Crimson Shadow series, “Noir”, is the product of that original intent, and I’ve been writing ever since.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I’d have to say my early teen years when I first discovered the escape it offered.

What inspired you to write your first book?
Pain and depression.

What is your current book(s) about?
“Noir” is being re-released in the near future and marks the first book in the Crimson Shadow series; a saga that centers on the tortured and self-destructive young man who, after discovering his vampiric lineage, chooses to be turned so that he can fulfill the legacy he’d been destined for. However, as new truths of his dark past begin to surface, his chosen path becomes harder and harder to follow.

How did you come up with the title?
When I was originally conceiving the idea the prospect of being “trapped in darkness” and perpetually drawn to spill one’s own blood motivated the phrase “Caught up in a crimson shadow” was something I came up with.

Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
Yes/no.
Yes – some of what I write is, in some way or another, tied to something that I or a loved one have encountered and conveys the view/impact that lies therein. These, however, are not exactly things inherently exclusive to my life, so I convey them in a way that allows others who can relate feel a deeper connection with the character(s) (ex – I was suicidal, I do struggle with internal conflicts stemmed in depression and rage, I often fear for the wellbeing of loved ones and how my actions/nonactions can impact them, I do find a great deal of magic and power in love and romance, and I feel resentment over the ongoing conflict between what I want to do and what I need to do).
No – a great deal of details that define the particular plot in my work—characters, integral events, revelations/life-lessons—are nothing more than a product of my own personal insanity (ex – I’ve never bore witness to a group assault, I’ve never smoked or drank, I’ve never known a prostitute or served in a military or handled a firearm, and I’ve certainly never met any gnarly non-human creatures [unfortunately]).

What books have most influenced your life?
I loved reading the Goosebumps and Animorph books as a kid, and, even to this day, I think the elements that drove those stories have inspired my own work. Since then, however, the “Sunglasses After Dark” series by Nancy A. Collins and the “Nightlife” books by Rob Thurman have motivated a great deal of my approach to writing. However, while I am an avid reader and lover of novels, I’m more influenced by comic books, Japanese anime, and horror/action movies over other writing.

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?
I suppose I’d go with the likes of Rob Thurman (if nothing else I feel that she—yes, “Rob” is short for “Robyn”—would be fun to converse with). Having said that, though, I’d sooner mentor under my favorite filmmaker, Guillermo del Toro (director of Blade II, the Hellboy movies, Pan’s Labyrinth, and a slew of other truly epic flicks).

What are your current projects?
I’m currently in the process of re-releasing books 1 & 2 of the Crimson Shadow series, “Noir” and “Sins of the Father” respectively, as well as the first book in my Death Metal series, “Curtain Call”. Past that, I’m working on polishing book 3 of Crimson Shadow, “Killing Loneliness”, and negotiating with a few artists to get my comic book series, “Night Tide: Chronicles of a Vampire Vigilante”, put out. There is a far grander plot in the works, but The Literary Dark Prince is not at liberty to publicize them just yet (stay tuned ;-) ).

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
One of my ongoing efforts is to create a visual scene for readers—something I’ve come to refer to as “cinematic literacy”—and the process of juggling visually descriptive language without bogging down the pacing of a scene is often a struggle (I’ll often find myself asking if I’m being too descriptive and making things move too slow or if I’m moving too fast and creating a scene that’s difficult to envision).
With “Death Metal”, because I write song lyrics for the featured band to perform, I’ve found that writing lyrics is incredibly time-consuming and demanding.

What was the hardest part of writing your book?
With “Noir”, due to the nature of the content—in which a lot of dark and painful was driven—I found myself hospitalized more times than I care to admit due to panic attacks and breakdowns. It wasn’t uncommon for me to wind up taking several months off from writing the piece so that I could recover from the previous breakdown.

Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?
“Noir” originally started off as a “creative suicide letter” and was only supposed to be a short story; I’d never intended to turn it into a book or anything more than a momentary “legacy” to leave behind. However, as I wrote the piece I found myself compelled to tell more of Xander’s story, and finally felt compelled to make him fight and survive. In doing this, I was forced to find the strength to overcome my own suicidal tendencies.

Do you have any advice for other writers?
Never stop writing. There’s going to be ups and downs, and there’s going to be A LOT of criticism and rejection (and, with it, a lot of self-doubt). Through it all, though, if writing is something that you love to do, then you owe it to yourself and your potential audience to continue. The truth of the matter is that there is no such thing as an “almost” book. I’ve met a lot of people who will say that they “almost wrote a book”, and, though it’s an admirable effort, “almost” does not mean a thing. You can’t publish an “almost” book, so it truly amounts to the same as NO book. If your dream is to write a novel, then the first threshold to get past is to have something finished.
Though there’s many motivators to quit, it’s those that find the strength to keep on writing that get their work out.

Thanks Nathan. And not a little about the book.

“Crimson Shadow: Noir” (re-release): 
Xander Stryker wants to die.
Ever since witnessing his mother's murder at the hands of his abusive stepfather when he was a boy, he has spent every day trying to reach that goal. But every night he's denied the death he craves.

When his eighteenth birthday approaches, an unforeseen chance for change is offered when his life is plunged into chaos and he's dragged into a supernatural world of vampires and other creatures of darkness. Caught in the depths of this new reality, mysteries of his supernatural lineage begin to unravel and Xander is given the ultimate choice:

Continue on with his wretched life or begin a new one as the vampire he was always meant to be.

Unfortunately, the supernatural world can be just as unforgiving and brutal as any other and Xander's choice is met with disastrous consequences. Now, with the chaos of the new world pressing down on him, his past reemerges and once again threatens to crush him. Will Xander be able to use his new strength to conquer his fears, or will he succumb to his own bloody darkness...

... and allow it to finally destroy him.



Bio:
After surviving public school, where he spent most of his days locked away in the AV room watching old 80s movies on Laserdisc and planning out his next video project, Nathan began a shaky college career. A love of inventing and telling stories was motivation enough to pursue an education in English, and, as luck would have it, a series of phenomenal professors were presented to get him pointed in the right direction. It was in his first years of college that 


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Friday, February 8, 2013

Blogger Book Fair: Great Book Find: Lichgates (Grimoire Saga #1), a Young Adult Fantasy Adventure by S. M. Boyce


Hey beautiful people! For the second day of the Blogger Book Fair I have great book for you to check out. Fans of The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and Eragon should really enjoy this modern twist on the classic epic fantasy genre. This is a really unique tale with a lot of imagery to it.


Amazon Rating:
Lichgates (Grimoire Saga #1): 4.5 Star Average
Treason (Grimoire Saga #2): 5 Star Average
Heritage (Grimoire Saga #3): Available Fall 2013
Illusion (Grimoire Saga #4): Available Fall 2014


"The Grimoire Saga has the potential to become a cult classic the likes of the Lord of the Rings”—The Eternal Scribe {Reviews}

"This would make a great movie. A great book. A great TV show. Great everything. I mean, Boyce sells it at the concept, but she doesn't stop there. She delivers."—Rebecca Hamilton, author of The Forever Girl series


Lichgates (Grimoire Saga #1)

Now an international Amazon bestseller. Fans of The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and Eragon will enjoy this contemporary remix of the classic epic fantasy genre.
----------------
Kara Magari is about to discover a beautiful world full of terrifying things--Ourea.

Kara, a college student still reeling from her mother's recent death, has no idea the hidden world of Ourea even exists until a freak storm traps her in a sunken library. With no way out, she opens an ancient book of magic called the Grimoire and unwittingly becomes its master, which means Kara now wields the cursed book's untamed power. Discovered by Ourea's royalty, she becomes an unwilling pawn in a generations-old conflict--a war intensified by her arrival. In this world of chilling creatures and betrayal, Kara shouldn't trust anyone... but she's being hunted and can't survive on her own. She drops her guard when Braeden, a native soldier with a dark secret, vows to keep her safe. And though she doesn't know it, her growing attraction to him may just be her undoing.

For twelve years, Braeden Drakonin has lived a lie. The Grimoire is his one chance at redemption, and it lands in his lap when Kara Magari comes into his life. Though he begins to care for this human girl, there is something he wants more. He wants the Grimoire.

Welcome to Ourea, where only the cunning survive.

Get Your FREE Copy Now:



Treason (Grimoire Saga #2)

Kara Magari ignited a war when she stumbled into Ourea and found the Grimoire: a powerful artifact filled with secrets. To protect the one person she has left, she strikes a deal that goes against everything she believes in. But things don't go as planned.

Braeden Drakonin can no longer run from who--and what--he is. He has to face the facts. He's a prince. He's a murderer. He's a wanted man. And after a betrayal that leaves him heartbroken, he's out for blood.

To survive, both Kara and Braeden must become the evil each has grown to hate.

Buy Yours Now:


Heritage (Grimoire Saga #3)

Kara Magari isn’t normal, and she finally understands why. She’s forced to face a past she didn’t know she had, and she uncovers an ugly truth along the way.

Braeden Drakonin has been slowly rebuilding his life after the betrayal that tore it apart. He may just get the chance to redeem himself…but it will come at a terrible price.

Learn More:


Illusion (Grimoire Saga #4)

In 2014, the Grimorie Saga comes to an end. Blood is spilled. Love is tested. Loyalty fades. Peace will come at a hefty cost. And in the final moments of the war, both Kara and Braeden will have to make a heartbreaking sacrifice to win.

Learn More:


About S.M. Boyce

Published fantasy author. Twitter addict. Book Blogger. Geek. Sarcastic. Gooey. Odd. Author of the action-packed Grimoire Saga.

S.M. Boyce is a fiction novelist who loves ghosts, magic, and spooky things. She prefers loose-leaf tea, reads far too many books, and is always cold. She’s married to her soul mate and couldn’t be happier. Her B.A. in Creative Writing qualifies her to serve you french fries.

Boyce likes to update her blog a few times each week so that you have something to wake you up in the morning.

Connect with S.M. Boyce

Don't forget you can enter to win a signed print copy of "A Prescription for Delirium."

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Blogger Book Fair Day 1: Interview with Kyra Dune

Welcome! Today we kick off the Blogger Book Fairhttp://www.bloggerbookfair.blogspot.com/. This is a massive online book fair with over 170 books from 70 authors. All different genres are available. But the best thing is there are all sorts of events going on at this. Be sure to check the directory to see what different authors and bloggers have going on at their blogs.  So, today I'm going to introduce you to the lovely Kyra Dune:


When and why did you begin writing? 
  I started writing when I was nine.  My teacher would give us a certain amount of time to finish our assignments and if we got them done early we could sit quietly at our desks and do something else. I always read, but one day I finished my book and I didn't have another one so I just pulled out a notebook and started writing. I've been writing ever since.

When did you first consider yourself a writer? 
When I was twelve.

What inspired you to write your first book?  
I was riding in the car and this song came on the radio. It was about a guy who has been out partying all weekend and now he has to go back to work. There's a line that goes 'I woke up Monday morning with a hammer in my hand.' I thought to myself that if he'd been out partying all weekend he probably had a hammer in his head. That sparked the first line of the book and it just went from there.

What is your current book about? 
Elfblood is about a teenage boy, Charlie, who is descended from a slave elf.  He and his friends get hauled off to a prison camp to mine for a dangerous mineral used in the making of bombs. The king wants to start a world war and wipe all non-humans from existence. To try and stop him, Charlie has to find a lost elven magic and learn to control the magic inside of himself.

How did you come up with the title? 
Elfblood is what people of mixed human and elven blood are called in the kingdom of Angland.

Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
No

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor? 
Stephen King. I admire his fearless approach to writing and his ability to create characters that are so real they leap off the page.

What are your current projects?
Rise of the Watchtower (Time of Shadows #4) High Fantasy Series, Dragons of War (Firebrand #3) YA Sword & Sorcery Trilogy, The Black Mountain (Dragonstar #2) YA Epic Fantasy Duology, Web Of Light is an Epic Fantasy, and Angel (working title) Urban Fantasy.

What was the hardest part of writing your book?  
The first draft is always hardest for me. I'm a panster, so I just sit down and write whatever pops into my head. It makes for a messy first draft but it works for me.

Do you have any advice for other writers?
Never give up. No matter how hard it gets, no matter how hopeless it seems, if you really want something you have to keep going after it no matter what hurdles get thrown in your way. My dad taught me that. 

Thanks you very much Kyra. Now a little bit about Kyra's book:

Elfblood: Charlie is an elfblood, descended of a conquered people brought to the brink of extinction in the aftermath of a long war. Being able to pass for human gives Charlie an advantage over most of his kind. Only those who look at his record or those he chooses to tell, need ever know his secret. Growing up in an orphanage is hard enough without having to live with that stigma.
When soldiers come and haul the kids off to a prison work camp, Charlie finds himself no longer able to hide the truth of what he is. If that isn’t bad enough, the magic buried inside him is growing stronger and more out of control.  As Charlie struggles with his own problems, and with the dangers of the work camp, he finds himself swept up in a much larger struggle, one whose outcome could decide the future of the world.


Bio:  Kyra Dune was born in Oklahoma, but spent most of her life travelling with her family. Her published novels include: Shadow Born, Elfblood, and Shadow of the Dragon. As a little girl, her favorite books were those that told of ordinary children who traveled to magical worlds. She’s yet to find her own magic wardrobe or rabbit hole, but she hasn’t given up the search. You never know what might be waiting over the next rainbow.

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And for something a little extra! During the Blogger Book Fair. You can enter for a chance to win a signed print copy of my book "A Prescription for Delirium."
Also, if you loved "A Prescription for Delirium" vote for it on the Readers Choice Award hosted by Shut up and Read.

Friday, February 1, 2013

The Next Big Thing: Omega Effect

So I was tagged in The Next Big Thing by David Jon Fuller and Peter Dawes. Here you have it.

Ten Interview Questions for the Next Big Thing:

What is your working title of your book? 
Omega Effect 

Where did the idea come from for the book? 
It’s the second in the series of the Van Helsing Organization 

What genre does your book fall under? 
Urban Fantasy/ Paranormal

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
Gabby would be Cristina Scabbia from the band Lacuna Coil:



For Esais, Brandon Roth:



For Adrian, Shooter Jennings:



For Tres, Andrei Andrei Aaliyah:



For Marge, Jennifer Morrison:



Anyone else, I’m not revealing for purpose of spoilers.

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
The Van Helsing Organization hunt down Marge’s demon, only to find one of them is ready end the world.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
It will be self-published.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
I’m still writing the first draft.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
Dresden Files. The Kate Daniels Series.

Who or what inspired you to write this book?
It started out from a roleplaying game. I love these characters and wanted to play in their world more.

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
It has action, an epic story, love and loss.


I’m going to cheat a bit. As I said, both David Jon Fuller and Peter Dawes tagged me. You should check out their blogs. I’m linking some who have already post theirs because well I love their blogs. First, my girl Friday, Jessica Fortunato, author of The Sin Collector Series and Steam, which is released today. Next, Thomas Winship, author of the Vaempires series, who’s has an awesome dark creepy blog. Finally, Paul Anthony Short, author of Locked Within. I’ve been following his blog for some time and I ‘love it. And that’s it. Right you’re only getting three. What can I say? I abide by no rules!